Favorite zipper pull (replacement)?

• Jul 30, 2009

• #1

S

STW

Familiar Face

Messages

65

Location

Rocky mountains

Hoping the FL experts know of a way to replace a paperclip style zipper pull with something else. I have never liked yanking on the paperclip pulls and also don't like leather pulls hanging from them. What I like are vintage style bell shaped or circular cut out metal pulls. The pulls I'd like to replace are on MC jackets with new production chunky Talon brass zippers that work great, except for the paperclip. Since these MC jackets are not vintage or historical repros, there is no need to get a certain zip or pull, or pull type.

Most of the zipper pulls I've seen for sale on the interenet are meant to be added to a standard pull and they are bright or big or goofy. Is there a place to buy a replacement vintage style pull?

It's easy to see how to remove a paperclip pull, but I'm not sure how or if a regular bell shaped pull could be installed in the hole left (?)

Another zipper pull I'd be interested in is the hanging kind you see on some vintage MC jacket pockets that have a small ball shape hanging from a few links of flexible chain.

 

• Aug 23, 2009

• #2

G

gfirob

Familiar Face

Messages

80

Location

Baltimore, Md, USA

zipper pull replacement

I had the zipper pull come off of the pocket zipper on an Aero 30's halfbelt. Aero wouldn't send me a replacement pull. They told me to ship the jacket back to Scotland and they would replace the whole zipper for $60.00 plus shipping from the States. That's about $100 altogether and there is nothing wrong with the zipper itself.

Seems a little steep for a small chain and ball. Anyone have an alternative suggestion?
Thanks

 

• Aug 24, 2009

• #3

BellyTank

I'll Lock Up

Messages

7,061

Location

Scandinavia- location, location, location

Now THAT is totally ridiculous!

...and wait 12 weeks, too?


B
T

 

• Aug 24, 2009

• #4

J

john z

Guest

gfirob said:

I had the zipper pull come off of the pocket zipper on an Aero 30's halfbelt. Aero wouldn't send me a replacement pull. They told me to ship the jacket back to Scotland and they would replace the whole zipper for $60.00 plus shipping from the States. That's about $100 altogether and there is nothing wrong with the zipper itself.

Seems a little steep for a small chain and ball. Anyone have an alternative suggestion?
Thanks

Click to expand...

If it's a ball chain puller I'm sure the components are available here:
http://www.ballchain.com/

 

• Aug 27, 2009

• #5

G

gfirob

Familiar Face

Messages

80

Location

Baltimore, Md, USA

Chain pull

Actually, its not a ball chain, its something fabricated for the zipper. I noticed the sleeve zippers I had put on another Aero jacket have nice leather tabs on them. Maybe I'll try that. But I'd rather get an original part. Anybody know who makes the pocket zippers on Aero jackets?
Thanks

 

• Feb 14, 2017

• #6

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,299

Location

New York

anyone know who makes the Talon ball chain zippers these days?

 

• Dec 6, 2019

• #7

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,299

Location

New York

check out this guy. From Waldes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

• Dec 6, 2019

• #8

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,299

Location

New York

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

• Dec 7, 2019

• #9

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,299

Location

New York

Now I've received this beautiful pull, I couldn't find an appropriate jacket/zipper to put it on..... Well, there are technical challenges. One, the aperture of the mouth of the C clamp only opens so wide that it won't bite onto just any slider. You need number 5, or any slide that has a narrow ridge/spine, two, you do have to destroy the original pull. The brass single ball-chain pull that Aero uses, for example, has a size 8 slide, I think, and the brass chain is linked to the spine via a fully enclosed ring, so you'll have to cringe and cut that ring for good. Even so, you won't be able to clamp the C onto the slider...So. I guess I'll have to apply the Waldes ball chain to some new 5 slider from scratch.

 

• Dec 7, 2019

• #10

Boyo

Call Me a Cab

Messages

2,215

Location

Long Island NY

Reg, can’t you re-use the #8ring from the aero chain on the Waldes . It might be a bit thicker but maybe not noticeable.
Carefully cut it , pull open just enough to remove and replace and crimp it down again..

I’m curious because I’m thinking of changing the pull on my 30’s half belt to the Waldes

 

• Dec 7, 2019

• #11

regius

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Messages

3,299

Location

New York

Boyo the #8 ring on these single ball chain zippers doesn’t seem to have an opening. The 8 shaped anchor ring is fused at all ends.


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Last edited: Dec 7, 2019

• Dec 20, 2019

• #12

J

JacketAddict

One of the Regulars

Messages

188

Here's a bunch I have laying around - the ball and chain (not my wife) are somewhat fragile but may serve your purpose - if you want to try a couple let me know and I'll send them to you. Also - others shown - unicorns, salmon, cross, wrench, OM, square w/chain, circle with chain. On my jackets I usually use a strip of leather - longish so that I can zip up or down while riding without getting into a head-on collision.

 

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• Dec 22, 2019

• #13

Dumpster Diver

Practically Family

Messages

952

Location

Ontario

I'd say you have to get creative to make it fit, a paper clip or some wire to attach the pull to the slider might do it if you're handy with the needle nose pliers. I don't know. I'd have to see photos to say how the operation should be performed.

 

• Dec 22, 2019

• #14

navetsea

I'll Lock Up

Messages

6,711

Location

East Java

why not just add small spiral spring ring

 

Last edited: Dec 22, 2019

• Dec 22, 2019

• #15

Dumpster Diver

Practically Family

Messages

952

Location

Ontario

I've done all sorts of things, sometimes the Actual Pull breaks right off, and that...I'm not sure how to fix other than replace the whole Zip.